Isight 2010 MBP

Hello -

So I went to use my facetime, and the black window never opened, but the green light went on. I then checked photobooth, and the window opened but the screen showed it was "loading", and my image never came up. I initially thought it was a bug from an upgrade, but when I brought my MBP into the Apple store, they said it was hardware related. Also, the camera is being detected by the computer... At the store, they did multiple tests and obviously nothing helped. To fix it, apple said it would cost $280 since I am out of warranty. Has anyone ever encountered an issue like this? Is there any way around paying the $280? I think it is silly to spend 25% of the entire computers cost on a camera, but it bothers the heck out of me. The computer is in perfect condition, with very little added software on it. I have a feeling, it is software related.

I am open to all suggestions. Please help!